Waste removal device

ABSTRACT

A hollow ball for waste removal. The hollow ball may include at least one finger opening and the thumb opening. The hollow ball may include a slit at the opposite end of the at least one ginger opening and the thumb opening. The slit may be opened, a bag may be inserted into the slit, and feces may be collected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to waste removal device and, more particularly, to a waste removal device that is a ball.

Generally, playing with dogs may be a fun activity. For example, dogs and humans enjoy playing fetch with one another, which may include using a ball. However dogs tend to defecate in areas that need to be cleaned. Picking up after a dog is both unsanitary and cumbersome, especially if you have to touch the feces. For example, when using manual poop scoopers, they may be cumbersome to carry around and are unsanitary to use.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that picks up feces in a sanitary way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a waste removal device comprises: a hollow ball comprising a compressible material, wherein the ball further comprises at least one finger opening and a thumb opening, wherein the ball further comprises a slit oriented on substantially the opposite side of the at least one finger opening and the thumb opening, wherein the slit goes through a surface of the hollow ball.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of removing feces comprises: providing a hollow ball comprising a compressible material, wherein the ball further comprises at least one finger opening and a thumb opening, wherein the ball further comprises a slit oriented on substantially the opposite side of the at least one finger opening and the thumb opening, wherein the slit goes through a surface of the hollow ball; inserting at least one finger into the at least one finger opening and inserting a thumb in the thumb opening; spreading the at least one finger and the at least one thumb away from one another, and thereby separating the slit; inserting a closed end of a bag within the slit, and thereby within the hollow ball; placing the open end of the bag over the outside of the hollow ball; placing the open slit over a feces to be picked up; and closing the slit, whereby the feces is within the bag that is within the hollow ball.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention, illustrating the insertion of a plastic bag;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the present invention, shown in use; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention, illustrating the removal of the plastic bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hollow ball for waste removal. The hollow ball may include at least one finger opening and a thumb opening. The hollow ball may include a slit at the opposite end of the at least one finger opening and the thumb opening. The slit may be opened, a bag may be inserted into the slit, and feces may be collected.

The present invention may include a dog ball that may be used for picking up dog feces. The present invention may be used both as a play toy and to pick up dog feces by inserting a plastic bag into an opening in the ball. The present invention makes picking up after your dog cleaner and more convenient. Further, the present invention reduces both the cost and effort to pick up after your pet.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention may include a ball 10. The ball 10 may be made out of rubber or another compressible material. The ball 10 may be substantially hollow on the inside. The ball 10 may include at least one finger opening 12 and a thumb opening 14. In certain embodiments, the at least one finger opening 12 may include two finger openings 12. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the at least one finger opening 12 and the thumb opening 14 may be the entrance to pockets that extend to the inside of the hollow ball 10.

In certain embodiments, the ball 10 of the present invention may include a slit 18. The slit 18 may go through the surface of the hollow ball 10 and thereby may be opened to gain access to the center of the hollow ball 10. The slit 18 may run along a substantially opposite side of the finger opening 12 and thumb opening 14. The slit 18 may run along substantially half of the circumference of the ball 10. In certain embodiments, the slit 18 may end on one side at a first side opening 16 and may end on a second opposite side 16 opening at the opposite end. The side openings 16 may further facilitate access to the inside of the ball through the slit 18.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. As illustrated, a user may place their thumb inside the thumb opening 14 and at least one finger into the at least one finger opening 12. The user may pull the slit 18 of the hollow ball 10 open by pulling their thumb inside the thumb opening 14 and the at least on finger inside the at least one finger opening 12 away from one another. The user may then place a closed end of a bag 20 into the ball 10 through the open slit 18. The user may then wrap the open end of the bag 20 around the outside of the ball 10. The user may than place the open slit 18 with the bag 20 inside the slit 18 over feces 22. The user may then release the ball 10 and the slit 18 may close around the feces 22. The feces 22 may thereby be closed within the bag for disposal.

The ball may be carried during dog walking and once needed simply placed index, middle and thumb fingers into the openings to open the ball. Then once opened the plastic bag may be inserted, which can be carried in pocket. Then the ball may be closed over the dog feces. Once the bag is filled, then the user may simply tie off and drop the bag into an appropriate receptacle.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A waste removal device comprising: a hollow ball comprising a compressible material, wherein the ball further comprises at least one finger opening and a thumb opening, wherein the ball further comprises a slit oriented on substantially the opposite side of the at least one finger opening and the thumb opening, wherein the slit goes through a surface of the hollow ball.
 2. The waste removal device of claim 1, wherein the slit has a length of around half of the circumference of the hollow ball.
 3. The waste removal device of claim 1, wherein the slit comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first side opening, and the second end comprises a second opening.
 4. The waste removal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one finger opening and the at least one thumb opening comprise openings to at least one finger pocket and at least one thumb pocket that extend into an interior of the hollow ball.
 5. The waste removal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one finger opening is two finger openings.
 6. A method of removing feces comprising: providing a hollow ball comprising a compressible material, wherein the ball further comprises at least one finger opening and a thumb opening, wherein the ball further comprises a slit oriented on substantially the opposite side of the at least one finger opening and the thumb opening, wherein the slit goes through a surface of the hollow ball; inserting at least one finger into the at least one finger opening and inserting a thumb in the thumb opening; spreading the at least one finger and the at least one thumb away from one another, and thereby separating the slit; inserting a closed end of a bag within the slit, and thereby within the hollow ball; placing the open end of the bag over the outside of the hollow ball; placing the open slit over a feces to be picked up; and closing the slit, whereby the feces is within the bag that is within the hollow ball.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of removing the bag with the feces inside from the hollow ball by spreading the at least one finger and the at least one thumb away from one another. 